Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Aurum Cantus Leisure 2 mk ii se Speakers by foomh@simedarby.com

Model:	Leisure 2 mk ii se
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$900
Description:	stand mount small monitor
Manufacturer URL:	Aurum Cantus

Review by foomh@simedarby.com on September 14, 2007 at 00:48:39
IP Address: 202.146.93.35 Add Your Review
for the Leisure 2 mk ii se

After many years of buying safe well recommended products from the mainstream hifi press, recently I auditioned and bought this Chinese designed and made speakers. No regrets absolutely. I am absolutely bowled over by the progress China has made in design and manufacturing high end hifi products.
Firstly the appearance- the speakers are finished in the most gorgeous piano lacquered rosewood that I have ever seen even compared to Sonus Fabers and the like. The whose speaker does not show any fitting joints at all as the lacquer covers all such joints to perfection!!! The weight is very substantial.
Secondly the sound- the beauty of the female voice shines through wonderfully and is extremely natural and airy. Saxophones and piano thrills come through as being present in the room and never in my hifi experience have I heard piano sound so close to the piano I have in my house(played by my daughter)! There are many more superlatives I can use but I will stop by just saying I absolutely think these speakers deserve to be considered in their own right as high end. Many potential owners might be turned by its China origin, don't or you may regret it. I am certainly glad I did not(I admit I thought hard before buying but the sound and appearance are really world class)
For those who are interested, I drive the speakers with 11 watts of cary 300SEI power. My references for good sound are equipment I have owned such as Sonus Faber, Vienna Acoustics, Magneplanars, Kefs, Linn LP12, and lots of equipment at shows and dealers rooms

Product Weakness:	None
Product Strengths:	Fabulous finish, female voice natural and clear

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Cary 300 SEI
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Micromega stage 2
Speakers: Aurum Cantus Leisure 2 MKii se
Cables/Interconnects: Audioquest
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Cary 300 SEI
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Micromega stage 2
Speakers:	Aurum Cantus Leisure 2 MKii se
Cables/Interconnects:	Audioquest
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner